Chapter 130: Undercurrents in the Court, the Alliance of the Vast Sea

The seventh day after the Star-Gazing Platform incident, the Grand Court Assembly.

Inside the Chengping Hall, the atmosphere was more solemn and heavy than usual. The civil and military officials stood in ranks, and the three Elders of the overseas delegation—Xing Lan, Man Shi, and Xue Chan—were specially granted the honor of standing before the hall to show courtesy. Lin Xuan, still in his capacity as a guest advisor, stood quietly in the shadows not far behind Huangfu Hao’s dragon throne. His aura was calm, and his gray-purple hair shimmered with a strange luster under the light of the hall’s luminous pearls.

Huangfu Hao sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping calmly over the crowd below before finally landing on Xing Lan. He said in a clear voice, "Envoy Xing Lan, thanks to your delegation’s spell-casting and deduction regarding the events at the Star-Gazing Platform the other day, although a dangerous incident occurred, it allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the situation. I wonder if you have a specific plan for our subsequent cooperation?"

Xing Lan stepped forward and bowed slightly, holding a jade slip that emitted a faint starlight: "Your Majesty, the incident the other day was indeed unexpected, and it revealed the depth and treachery of the demonic scourge. Precisely because of this, we must cooperate with sincerity. This is the 'Outline for Collaborative Defense Against the Demonic Scourge in the Vast Sea and Tianyuan' drafted by our Star Palace. Please, Your Majesty, take a look."

An attendant respectfully took the jade slip and presented it to the imperial desk. Huangfu Hao scanned it with his spiritual sense, grasping the contents instantly. His expression remained calm, but his heart gave a jolt.

The contents of the jade slip were divided into three main parts:

First, intelligence sharing and technical exchange. The Star Palace is willing to provide some research data on the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye, the characteristics of the Primordial Demonic Qi, and ancient sealing arrays; at the same time, they hope the Tianyuan Dynasty will open up some intelligence regarding the Abyss Demonic Qi, the earth vein voids (demonic abyss passages), and the status of related seals, and allow Star Palace array masters to participate in the research.

Second, resource mutual aid. The Tianyuan Dynasty must exert its full strength to assist in finding clues to "Star Essence Gold" and "Chaos Breath Soil." Once discovered, the Star Palace is willing to exchange them for overseas rare treasures, cultivation techniques, or elixirs of equal or greater value. At the same time, the Star Palace can provide a batch of urgently needed defensive array materials and spirit stones to help the dynasty stabilize its borders and rebuild.

Third, personnel exchange and joint operations. Both sides will station envoys and observers with each other; when necessary, joint cultivator teams can be formed to deal with sudden demonic incidents or explore ruins; it is specifically proposed that "Fellow Daoist Lin Xuan, who possesses the power of chaos," be allowed to participate in the special research led by the Star Palace on the transformation and utilization of Chaos Breath Soil.

The conditions seemed fair, and the Star Palace even appeared quite generous. But Huangfu Hao knew well that beneath this seemingly equal framework of cooperation lay a massive disparity in information and initiative. The Star Palace had an urgent need to understand the demonic scourge on the Tianyuan Continent, but the "ancient sealing array data" they provided was likely basic or outdated; once the dynasty opened up core secrets like the earth vein voids, it would be difficult to ensure they wouldn't have all their trump cards exposed. More importantly, the explicit request for Lin Xuan to participate in the special research had an unfathomable intent.

"The outline proposed by Envoy Xing Lan is indeed sincere," Huangfu Hao said slowly. "However, this matter is of great importance, concerning the foundation of the dynasty and the safety of billions of lives. I must discuss it in detail with my court officials and consult the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and Guest Advisor Lin’s wishes before making a decision. Furthermore, the outline mentions 'Chaos Breath Soil.' I have consulted ancient books and only know that this item is ethereal and hard to find. Does the Star Palace have more specific clues as to its location? Although Guest Advisor Lin possesses the power of chaos, it may not be directly related to Chaos Breath Soil."

He kicked the ball back, while simultaneously pointing out his caution regarding the issue of Lin Xuan.

Xing Lan seemed to have anticipated this and said calmly, "Your Majesty’s caution is only natural. Regarding Chaos Breath Soil, our Star Palace only has fragments of ancient star charts pointing to certain 'places of origin' or 'world fragments' that might nurture the power of chaos. The Tianyuan Continent has a long history, and perhaps such ruins exist here. Fellow Daoist Lin’s power of chaos may serve as an important medium for sensing and exploring such ruins. As for the research, there is absolutely no intention of coercion; it is entirely up to Fellow Daoist Lin’s own will. Our Star Palace is willing to offer the first volume of a secret star-refining technique that leads directly to the Void Refinement realm as a token of our sincerity."

A secret technique leading directly to Void Refinement! As soon as these words were spoken, the breathing of many cultivators in the hall quickened. The inheritance of the Tianyuan Continent was incomplete; Soul Transformation was already a massive threshold, and Void Refinement was a legendary realm. This "sincerity" from the Star Palace could not be considered light.

Lin Xuan’s eyelids lifted slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his face. A Void Refinement secret technique was indeed tempting, but he was more concerned about the "places of origin" and "world fragments" mentioned. His Chaos Tribulation Dao might truly have a connection to such places.

"I thank the Star Palace for their great kindness on behalf of Guest Advisor Lin," Huangfu Hao said, noncommittally. "We shall discuss the specific details later. For now, there is another matter. At the Star-Gazing Platform the other day, demonic intent peered through the stars, clearly indicating that a very high-level demonic entity is coveting this realm. I wonder if the Star Palace has any understanding of or methods to guard against this kind of 'starry sky demonic intent'?"

This was one of the questions Huangfu Hao cared about most. Being targeted by an unknown, high-level demonic entity made it impossible to eat or sleep in peace.

Xing Lan’s expression also turned grave: "To answer Your Majesty, this kind of demonic intent capable of distorting starlight and performing remote peeping or even erosion is rare, even in the records of the Vast Sea. It is usually related to certain 'Ancient Demons' or 'Outer-Realm Heavenly Demons' of very high rank that slumber deep in the starry sky. They often use stars as eyes and demonic intent as tentacles to search for suitable 'prey' or 'coordinates.' Being disturbed this time might be related to the deduction of Star Essence Gold and the touching of earth vein demonic qi, or it could be... related to the dragon qi Your Majesty possesses and Fellow Daoist Lin’s power of chaos. Such existences are particularly sensitive to children of destiny and special origin powers."

He paused and continued: "As for methods of prevention, conventional array restrictions have limited effect. The most effective way is to interfere with their 'star coordinates' or to shield oneself with power of a higher standing. The Star Palace has a 'Universal Star-Shifting Array' that can disturb star sensing within a small area, which could be deployed in the core area of the Imperial City. In addition, dragon qi itself has a natural deterrent effect on evil spirits. If Your Majesty can further condense the dragon qi, it might form a barrier. As for Fellow Daoist Lin’s power of chaos... its characteristics are unfathomable, and perhaps it possesses its own ability to shield the heavenly secrets."

While answering, he once again emphasized the "special nature" of Huangfu Hao and Lin Xuan, invisibly applying pressure—you have already been targeted, and you need our help even more.

In the court, undercurrents surged. The civil and military officials whispered, each harboring their own thoughts. Some radicals believed that the benefits of cooperation outweighed the risks and that they could use overseas power to develop rapidly; some conservatives worried about inviting a wolf into the house and having all secrets leaked; and representatives of the remaining aristocratic families flickered their eyes, wondering what they were plotting.

"Your Majesty!" The Minister of Revenue stepped out again, his tone slightly softer this time. "The resource mutual aid proposed by the Star Palace is indeed of great use for our dynasty’s reconstruction. However, opening up intelligence on earth veins involves national security and requires clearly defined scopes and confidentiality clauses. As for the matter of Guest Advisor Lin, it concerns his personal Dao path and must indeed respect his own wishes."

"I second that," said the Minister of War. "Joint operations are feasible, but the chain of command and the distribution of spoils must be clarified in advance. Furthermore, our dynasty’s cultivators need to be familiar with overseas combat tactics to avoid poor coordination."

Elder Li was more concerned with the fundamentals: "Envoy of the Star Palace, this old man has a question. If we find the Star Essence Gold and Chaos Breath Soil and help your side stabilize the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye seal, can it ensure the peace of this land for a hundred or a thousand years? Is there any possibility of eradicating the source of the demonic scourge?"

Facing the barrage of questions, Xing Lan responded calmly, answering them one by one, showing high-level professionalism and thorough preparation. The negotiation proceeded in an atmosphere that seemed harmonious but was actually a contest for every inch of ground.

Lin Xuan remained silent throughout, as if an outsider. But his spiritual sense keenly captured that in the corner of the court, several officials in ornate robes with obscure auras were engaging in extremely subtle spiritual sense communication with a certain attendant from the overseas delegation. Although the content could not be intercepted, the faint energy fluctuations did not escape his perception of Chaos Tribulation Power.

"A mole... still active. And it seems they have made contact with certain people in the overseas delegation." Lin Xuan sneered inwardly, noting the auras and appearances of those few people.

Just as the court assembly reached a critical moment, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

A general clad in black armor, covered in the dust of travel, burst into the hall without being announced. He knelt on one knee, his voice filled with irrepressible panic:

"Report—! Your Majesty! Urgent report from the eastern coast! Three days ago, in the sea area near the 'Star-Fragment Archipelago' jointly managed by our dynasty and the 'Green Wave Gate,' a large-scale sea beast riot suddenly occurred! Countless ferocious beasts infected by demonic qi attacked the islands! The Green Wave Gate is calling for help! The garrison on the islands has suffered heavy losses! And... and fishermen claim that in the center of the riot, they saw... saw black shadows that looked like humans but were shrouded in thick demonic qi!"

"What?!" The entire court was in an uproar!

The Green Wave Gate was one of the largest immortal cultivation sects on the eastern coast of the Tianyuan Continent, with close ties to the dynasty, and they jointly managed the resource-rich Star-Fragment Archipelago. A large-scale demonic sea beast riot appearing there, with the possibility of humanoid demonic entities, was definitely no coincidence!

Xing Lan, Man Shi, and Xue Chan all changed color. Man Shi even let out a low growl: "Demonic spawn! To think they dare to run to the near seas!"

Huangfu Hao stood up abruptly, his dragon robe fluttering without wind, a fierce look flashing in his eyes: "Tell me in detail!"

The general hurriedly presented the detailed battle report and a recording jade talisman.

In the image, waves towered, and countless sea beasts with blood-red eyes, massive bodies, and black qi coiling around them were frantically attacking the island’s defensive lines. Cultivators were fighting in blood, and the light of the arrays flickered unsteadily. In the mist on the distant sea, several shadows emitting thick demonic qi, with silhouettes that looked human but were not, hovered quietly, as if observing or perhaps controlling the situation.

The silhouette of one of the shadows made Lin Xuan’s pupils shrink slightly—it was five or six parts similar to the Abyss Demonic Shadow that had appeared in the Imperial Capital! But it seemed more solid, and the demonic qi was more refined.

"It is an Abyss demonic entity! And not a common demonic puppet, but a higher-level Demon General or even Demon Commander level!" Lin Xuan said in a deep voice, speaking actively in the court for the first time. "Their appearance on the coast is definitely no coincidence. Either there is another exit to the demonic abyss in this realm, or... they are coming from overseas!"

His gaze was like lightning as he looked at Xing Lan: "Envoy Xing Lan, in the Endless Vast Sea, are there any records of such humanoid high-level demonic entities roaming about? Can the Primordial Demonic Qi leaking from the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye erode sea beasts and give birth to such existences?"

Xing Lan’s face looked ugly. He exchanged quick glances with Xue Chan and Man Shi, and finally nodded slowly: "Yes. In the last hundred years, there have indeed been a few similar reports on the edge of the Vast Sea, but the scale was small, and the demonic entities disappeared quickly after appearing, making them difficult to track. Primordial Demonic Qi eroding living beings does indeed have a probability of giving birth to 'demonic entities' that retain some intelligence and possess great strength... If these are indeed such demonic entities appearing in the Star-Fragment Archipelago, and the scale is this large..."

He took a deep breath and looked at Huangfu Hao, his tone extremely solemn: "Your Majesty, the situation is likely worse than we imagined. The speed and form of the demonic scourge’s spread have exceeded our estimates. This is no longer just a crisis for the Vast Sea or Tianyuan alone. I propose that the 'joint action' in the outline be initiated immediately! Let our three parties send elites to join forces with your dynasty and the Green Wave Gate to go to the Star-Fragment Archipelago, wipe out the demonic scourge, and find the source! This battle is both a rescue and a litmus test for the sincerity of our cooperation!"

The crisis came suddenly, and cooperation was forced to accelerate.

Huangfu Hao looked at the officials in the hall with their varied expressions, then looked at Lin Xuan, and seeing the latter nod imperceptibly, he made his decision.

He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice decisive and filled with a biting, murderous aura:

"Granted!"

"Order the Ministry of War to immediately mobilize the elites of the 'Sea-Suppressing Guard,' with Eunuch Wei in charge, to set off for the Star-Fragment Archipelago within three days!"

"Order the Green Wave Gate to hold their ground and wait for reinforcements. I will personally write an imperial edict to mobilize all sects and aristocratic families along the eastern coast to defend against the demonic tide together!"

"Envoys Xing Lan, Man Shi, and Xue Chan, I agree to initiate the joint action immediately. Please have your side send experts to rendezvous at 'Linhai City' in three days and head to the Star-Fragment Archipelago together!"

"In this battle, we must identify the demonic source, annihilate the enemy overseas, and uphold the might of our dynasty and the Overseas Immortal Alliance!"

"We obey the decree!" A mountain-like response echoed through the hall. Regardless of what thoughts they had held before, with the foreign enemy now at the gates, everyone was united in hatred.

Xing Lan and the others also bowed solemnly: "We will strictly follow Your Majesty’s decree! Our Star Palace (Giant Spirit Sect/Mysterious Ice Pavilion) will certainly send capable personnel to purge the demonic entities together!"

The court assembly dispersed in a hurry, and all parties prepared intensively.

Lin Xuan and Huangfu Hao returned to the secret chamber of the Heart-Nurturing Hall.

"Brother Lin, what do you think about the Star-Fragment Archipelago incident?" Huangfu Hao’s brows were locked in a frown.

"It is definitely not an isolated incident," Lin Xuan said with a profound gaze. "The demonic entities choosing to appear at this time and place is like a probe, and also like a premeditated distraction or provocation. Those in the court who are colluding with the attendants of the overseas delegation must be monitored immediately. At a critical moment, we may be able to follow the vine to find the melon. Also..."

He looked at Huangfu Hao: "I will go on this joint action. First, my Chaos Tribulation Power has a stronger suppression effect on demonic qi; second, I also want to see with my own eyes the methods of the overseas cultivators, and what similarities and differences there are between the so-called 'demonic entities' and the Abyss demonic entities."

"Good! With Brother Lin there, I am much more at ease," Huangfu Hao nodded heavily. "I will keep a close eye on court matters with the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. Eunuch Wei will go with you; he is steady and experienced and can coordinate all parties. Also..."

He hesitated for a moment and said: "Over at the Quietude Garden, Zhao Yuan seems a bit different recently. The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion says that his mental barrier shows signs of loosening, and he is trying to communicate with a strange broken sword. If this child can walk out of it, he might be a great help. It’s just that letting him participate in such a dangerous battle at this time, is it..."

Lin Xuan thought for a moment: "Let him choose for himself. If he is willing to go, he can accompany us and be observed from a relatively safe position. This is an opportunity to face the demonic scourge and also to face his own heart. Whether he sinks or is reborn, perhaps it all depends on this one move."

"Let it be as Brother Lin says."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Linhai City, the gateway to the east, was shrouded in the clouds of war.

Three thousand elite cultivators of the dynasty’s "Sea-Suppressing Guard" stood with banners fluttering and a murderous aura soaring to the sky. Eunuch Wei, in his dark red eunuch robes, stood on the platform, his aura as steady as a mountain. Lin Xuan, still in his green robes, stood with his hands behind his back at his side, his aura plain, yet no one dared to underestimate him. Feng Xi had shrunk its size and stood on his shoulder, looking extraordinarily spirited.

On the other side, reinforcements from the overseas delegation had also arrived. The Star Palace had sent a cold-faced middle-aged sword cultivator carrying a seven-star sword named "Beichen," at the peak of Nascent Soul, his sword intent awe-inspiring. The Giant Spirit Sect had sent a bald giant named "Yan Gang," also a zhang tall, holding twin hammers, his muscles like refined iron, his aura even more ferocious than Man Shi’s. The Mysterious Ice Pavilion had sent a woman named "Ling Shuang," whose temperament was similar to Xue Chan’s but who appeared younger, at the late Nascent Soul stage, with a biting chill radiating from her.

After the three parties joined and held a brief discussion, they boarded several huge imperial warships and the silver "Sky-Patrolling Shuttles" provided by the Star Palace, sailing majestically toward the surging, demonic-qi-shrouded Star-Fragment Archipelago.

At the bow, Lin Xuan stood against the wind, his gray-purple hair flying, looking into the distance where the haze grew thicker at the junction of sea and sky, lightning and chaotic energy intertwining in his eyes.

"Demonic scourge... overseas... Return-to-Ruins..." he whispered to himself, "What kind of secret is hidden behind all this? This trip to the Vast Sea might find some answers."

The fleet broke through the waves, sailing toward the unknown battlefield and mist.

And not long after they set off, in the Listening Bamboo Pavilion of the Quietude Garden, Zhao Yuan, who had been in seclusion for several days, finally opened his eyes. On the dark broken sword in his hand, a faint, dark-gold fine line was now spreading upward from the hilt by an inch.

There was no more confusion in his eyes, replaced by a sharpness and calmness born from breaking and then standing.

"Demonic scourge... I should also go and face it." He stood up and pushed open the pavilion door. Sunlight spilled in, casting a straight and firm shadow behind him.